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Monday is the last day of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division with a number of changes in regards to the European qualification and relegation tiebreaker.
Here we will see why seven of the 10 teams in the division have something important to fight for.
We know that the Shamrock Rovers are confirmed as champions, the Bohemians have sealed the runner-up and Cork City is relegated to the bottom of the table.
The rest will be decided on Monday from 7:30 p.m.
The accessories are:
- Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers, Tolka Park
- Finn Harps v Waterford FC, Finn Park,
- Cork City v Derry City, Turner’s Cross
- Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers, Oriel Park
- St Patrick’s Athletic v Bohemians, Richmond Park
THE RACE FOR EUROPE
Dundalk, Waterford FC, Sligo Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic are fighting for a possible place in Europe.
There is a variable to consider. Third place is a guaranteed European place in the SSE Airtricity League, but for each season since 2014, fourth place also ranks a team based on a top three team that won the FAI Cup.
This year, only Athlone Town, Finn Harps, Derry City and Sligo Rovers can prevent one of the top three from winning the Cup.
It means that fourth place is likely to hand over a European Conference place in 2021 and is a big consideration in the league final.
Dundalk
Dundalk will qualify for Europe if they win or draw against Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park.
The loss to Sligo and a win for Waterford FC at Ballybofey would move Dundalk to fourth place and they would have to wait for the FAI Cup result and, more importantly, be in the new Conference League instead of the Europe, a competition with less prestige than they have. currently competing in the group stage of.
One point would be enough for third place due to their superior goal difference, or if Waterford fails to win at Ballybofey.
What do they need for Europe
- Dundalk will finish in the top four regardless.
- A draw would be enough for third place due to the higher goal difference.
- Any result will be enough for third place at Waterford not to win at Ballybofey.
Waterford fc
The Blues would seal fourth with a win at Ballybofey and a potential European spot.
However, they could sneak in third if Dundalk loses to Sligo. A draw would suffice if Sligo fails to beat Dundalk by two goals or more and St Patrick’s Athletic fails to beat the Bohemians.
What do they need for Europe
- A victory would guarantee fourth place.
- A draw would be enough to fire St Patrick’s Athletic. Sligo Rovers could overtake them with a two-goal win.
- A loss could see Sligo Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic overtake them if they win.
Sligo rovers
The Bit O ‘Red are the outsiders to rank fourth as they face Dundalk in Oriel Park. A narrow win over Cork City two weeks ago has kept them in the mix after stuttering in recent weeks.
They need to beat Dundalk and hope Waterford loses at Ballybofey.
If Waterford draws, Sligo needs at least a two-goal win against the outgoing champions.
What do they need for Europe
- A win and a loss for Waterford FC.
- Sligo needs a two-goal win if Waterford FC draw and possibly more if Waterford draw high.
Athletic of Saint Patrick
A spot at Tallaght Stadium on Wednesday night kept St Patrick’s Athletic’s hopes of winning a European spot alive and put an end to any relegation concerns.
Stephen O’Donnell needs to supervise a win to have a chance to sneak into fourth place.
But it is certainly a real possibility, as other results could work in your favor. They need Dundalk to beat Sligo Rovers and Waterford to lose at Ballybofey.
A key aspect could be that Monday’s opposition, the Bohemians, have little to play for as second place is assured.
What do they need for Europe
- A win and Waterford FC to lose and Sligo Rovers not to win. The Saints would then finish fourth on goal difference.
AVOID THE GAME OF RELEGATION
Three teams are trying to avoid a play-off with Longford Town for a place in the top flight in 2021.
For a long time, it looked like Finn Harps were certainties for ninth place, but their resurgence has brought several teams into the mix.
There were some nervous clubs watching Harps take on Shamrock Rovers last Sunday as a win would have left the entire race wide open.
However, that did not materialize. Longford will follow with interest Monday.
Find harps
The only thing Ollie Horgan’s team knows is that they need to beat Waterford or they will finish in ninth place.
If Harps claim three points, they need at least one other result to get on with Shelbourne and Derry City in the mix.
What do they need to avoid the play-off
- A win and they must wait for Shelbourne or Derry City to lose.
- If Shelbourne ties, Finn Harps needs to beat Waterford by three goals.
- If Derry City draws, Harps would have to suffer a 10-goal deficit.
Shelbourne
It’s fair to say that the pressure is on Shels after a surprising 4-1 capitulation against Athlone Town in the FAI Cup. Now, with that on them, they face Premier Division winners Shamrock Rovers knowing they need to end their unbeaten record to guarantee a spot in the top flight next year.
A draw or loss for Finn Harps would mean Shels wouldn’t have to worry. A draw is likely to be long enough, assuming Harps doesn’t win by three goals. But that’s a big assumption on a night like this. Defeat and all eyes will turn to Donegal.
What do they need to avoid the play-off
- A victory.
- Finn Harps won’t win. Shelbourne can then afford a loss or a defeat.
- A draw and hope Finn Harps doesn’t falter from a three-goal deficit.
- Draw and Derry City to lose in Cork.
Derry city
The Candystripes were finally allowed to play their postponed game with Shamrock Rovers on Saturday. Having had almost his entire squad quarantined due to Covid-19 cases and close contacts until the day before, it was no surprise that it was a weak display from Derry.
In fact, it may have been better to accept defeat given that all they won was a goal difference when otherwise it would have been a 3-0 loss awarded against them!
It means they need a point against Cork City, having played a game just over 48 hours ago.
One thing going for it is that goal difference is seven better than Harps and Shelbourne
But a loss, a win for Finn Harps and a draw for Shelbourne would leave them in the play-off. Declan Devine’s men have the easiest task on paper against the relegated Cork.
What do they need to avoid the play-off
- A victory.
- Finn Harps won’t win. Derry City can then afford a loss or a defeat.
- Shelbourne will not win. Derry City can then afford a loss or a defeat.
- A draw and are confident in their superior goal difference at the expense of Shelbourne and / or Harps, even if they score a draw and an under-scoring win respectively.
It’s that easy. You can watch all the games on #WATCHLOI on Monday from 7.30pm.
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